Unsaturated Fatty Acids and their Protective Effects Against Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer’s Disease is an age related neurodegenerative disorder which may be initiated or progressed because of oxidative stress. As humans age, oxidative stress in the body increases while a natural decrease in the integrity of cell membranes leads to a higher susceptibility to oxidative damage 5. While the membrane strength is an important factor in every cell’s health, it’s particularly important in brain cells. If brain cells’ lipid membranes are compromised, they can no longer defend against damaging effects such as oxidative damage. This could correlate with the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease with increased age. However, cell membranes in the brain can be strengthened through increased consumption of unsaturated fatty acids and decreased consumption of saturated fatty acids.
Implications of Types of Fat in Neuronal Cell MembraneFat is an essential building block of the brain, two thirds of the brain is composed of fat. Fat consumed by individuals correlates to the type of fat incorporated in their cells’ lipid membranes 5. Saturated fats have no double bonds and are full of hydrogen atoms. When incorporated into brain cell lipid membranes, they become highly compact. This tight, compact lipid membrane prevents essential nutrients such as oxygen and glucose from entering the cell. It also decreases the cells ability to communicate, leading to decreased cell function and eventually death. Unsaturated fatty acids consumed and incorporated into brain cell lipid membranes contribute to membrane fluidity because unsaturated fatty acids are not saturated in hydrogen atoms and do not form compactly into lipid membranes such as saturated fatty acids do. Membrane fluidity is essential for optimal nerve cell functions and contributes to the cell’s ability to receive essential nutrients, communicate to each other, function, and survive.
Membrane Fluidity and Cell HealthIf a cell is able to obtain the nutrients and signaling needed for survival, it is more able to defend against oxidative damage caused by free radicals. Pro-oxidants are naturally occurring within the brain, but when the cell is not able to maintain the amount of pro-oxidants present, there is an accumulation which causes increased oxidative stress. Thus, unsaturated fatty acid intake may have a tremendous impact on the prevention and delayed onset of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease by keeping cells healthy through membrane fluidity, increased nutrient utilization, and increased cell signaling essential to survival and strength of the neurotransmitter cells.
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